La Peña Cultural Center, Inc.

Nonprofit Issues:

Arts & Culture

Address:

3105 Shattuck Ave BerkeleyCA94705USA

Mission:

La Peña is a community cultural center with a national reputation and a global vision that promotes peace, social justice and cultural understanding through the arts, education and social action. It was founded in 1975.

Results:

We are improving all information systems, coming up with a new webpage very soon, we have remodeled our lounge area for our SECOND GENERATION shows, and we are saving the historic Song of Unity mural in our wall!

Direct beneficiaries per year:

20,000

Geographic areas served:

San Francisco Bay Area

Programs:

La Pena organizes more than 200 events per year, including concerts, dances, lectures, poetry readings, films and videos, and discussions. Our space is also available for rent by community organizations for educational events, fundraisers, banquets, etc.
La Pena operates a Latin American Cafe which provides light suppers, snacks, and beverages as well as a catering service.
La Pena also offers classes in many disciplines of performing arts, including music, dance, art & organizing, Afro-Cuban culture, etc.

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Reviews for La Peña Cultural Center, Inc.

I've followed La Pena for more than 30 years, going back to the time when I worked in an office across the street from that striking mural emblazoned across its front. More recently, I've become a donor. The organization is in the midst of a major rejuvenation campaign designed to maintain its invaluable role as a center for politics and the arts for another four decades. I'm proud to be supporting the effort.

La Peña is a wonderful place that has so much to offer. As a non-profit is promotes peace an social justice through extraordinary art, great music and a range of classes. It is an awesome music venue, but also a hub for artists, activists, educators and those passionate about community and youth. I am so happy to have come across such a great place, the people are amazing, the artists are super talented and the mural outside the entrance reflects the beauty of the center.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

La Peña is dope!!! certainly a Bay Area icon, and one of the most well-respect arts and activist organizations, locally and nationally - doing it righteous for close to 40 years. how many organizations and alternative art spaces can say that?!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

As a child La Peña was a space where my family sought refuge. A place where Chilenos and other exiled people could find home in a country so far from it. Growing up it would become a space of inspiration and learning. It was here I first heard spoken-word poetry, first saw art that reflected something I could understand, and met people from all walks of life, from every generation imaginable. Now as an adult La Peña remains a space of inspiration that educates the community through the arts, that forges bonds between people at community gatherings, and offers a space for all of us to have a voice and display our talents.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

La Peña is more than just a non-profit. It provides a place for communities across differences to come together and learn from one another. I initially came to them for help with a school project on exiled Chileans and I've stuck around for the past 4 years. Going to La Peña feels like returning home. They have given me experience in fundraising, the knowledge of how to house mange, amazing shows and events, and most of all, relationships that will be remembered for a lifetime.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

La Peña is truly a special place that feels like family. It is authentic and important in it's history and passion for the arts. At every event that I have attended at La Peña, I have walked away inspired and have felt an extension of family there. I have been looking for ways to bring this depth of character and passion to centers in Seattle, WA.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Though my main relationship with the La Peña is through decades of prforming with La Peña Community Chorus, over the years I have also been an appreciative producer of both solidarity and cultural events there, a consistent donor to its overall program, and a delighted audience member at so many wonderful concerts, shows, and classes or lectures. It is an incredible resource for the progressive cultural community, providing a warm and supportive venue for presentations and classes. I have been a close supporter of La Peña for over 35 years and look forward to continuing to make a contribution and reaping all the rewards.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

La Pena is a wonderful place to get together, and experience the flair of Latin America. They always have great performances which vary in style and taste. When you go there, you feel like in a family, they are so caring and nice. You can see the passion of the staff and everyone there to share cultures and customs. It is an amazing organization that needs to get the recognition it deserves!!!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

La Peña is like a family. My husband in is the la Peña Community Chorus and whenever they perform, the staff and volunteers at la Peña and the Valpariso Restaurant make it feel like a family reunion that rejoices in music and fellowship. The message of social justice permeates all that happens there. It is a unique and important venue in the Bay Area - a real treasure. Kaye McKleroy